India’s election body faces growing doubts over voter roll changes
India’s Election Commission is facing rare public scrutiny after a newspaper investigation reported that its chief often dismissed concerns from fellow commissioners about changes to voter rolls. Opposition parties argue those changes could strip millions of voters of their rights and benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party. Analysts say the revelations may further undermine confidence in how elections are run in the world’s largest democracy.
The Indian Express reported that the commission’s chief, Gyanesh Kumar, repeatedly set aside objections from fellow commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi regarding voter-roll revisions. Indian law expects the three-member body to reach decisions by majority, the paper said, yet the two reportedly challenged the legality of steps Kumar took alone.
Since June of the previous year, the commission has updated electoral lists state by state, removing over 13 million names. Critics contend poorer citizens, minorities and other vulnerable communities were disproportionately affected. Opposition parties have taken the dispute to the Supreme Court, while Rahul Gandhi has called for Kumar’s resignation.
The controversy may deepen public doubts about electoral fairness, especially among communities already worried about losing voting rights. If millions believe their names were removed unfairly, confidence in results and institutions could erode further. Opposition supporters and civil society may press for transparency, while election officials could face greater scrutiny. The episode may also shape how citizens view the credibility of the world’s largest democracy.